Early Onset Colorectal Cancer in the United Arab Emirates, Where do we Stand?

The burden of CRC among young adults has been recognized recently as an area that needs further research. Early onset colorectal cancer (EOCRC) is defined as a colorectal cancer that is diagnosed < 50 years of age. there is no consensus between studies if EOCRC is similar or if it has distinct molecular, clinical and epidemiologic features compared to adult onset CRC. EOCRC is usually characterized by an advanced stage at presentation, frequent high-grade cancers and poor prognosis. In the UAE there is anecdotal evidence that > 41% of UAE colon cancer patients are people younger than 50 years, and > 22% of the colon cancer cases are patients below the age of 40. Initiating screening earlier, at age 45 years, is a "qualified" recommendation from the American Cancer Society, yet there is no international recommendations to start earlier than 45 years of age. In the UAE the screening age has been set to start at the age of 40, largely due to the earlier data that shows that > 41% of UAE colon cancer patients are people younger than 50 years. Currently there are no published data regarding the outcome of early CRC screening in the UAE. Targeted surveillance, prevention, and treatment are needed to reduce the cancer burden in this underserved age group.